Necktie holder or rack



p 1'' 1949. D. B. KAUFFMAN NECKTIE HOLDER OR RACK Filed July 1, 1946' FIG. 2

FIG.3

J'NVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 13, 1949 UNITED PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to garment holders and more particularly to neck-tie racks.

It is an object of my invention to provide new and improved neck-tie racks.

It is another object of my invention to provide new and improved neck-tie racks which are adaptable to easy production in large quantities and which offer advantages in permitting ease of selection, insertion and removal of ties in a very compact space.

Neck-tie racks built in accordance with my invention include a plurality of unitary holding and retaining elements which are slidable on a horizontal supporting rod, and which are constructed with respect to a standard to prevent or prohibit substantial rotational movement of the elements about the rod, so that the neck-ties may be readily inserted in and removed from the elements, without sacrificing the desired freedom of horizontal movement of the elements along the rod required in order to afford ease of selection.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending patent application Serial No. 671,508, filed May 22, 1946.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of my invention wherein a plurality of unitary holding elements are slidable along a horizontal supporting rod, and wherein the elements are each provided with a posterior part which extends into a groove inthe standard to guide the elements and to prevent excessive rotational movement about the rod. Fig. 2 is a detailed view of a similar type unitary element wherein the posterior rider is of smaller proportions than the corresponding elements of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a still further modification wherein the groove in the standard is of sufiicient size to receive a flat posterior portion of the unitary elements and in this manner serve as a rotational guide or limiting means for the elements. Fig. 4 represents a still further modification in which the element is constructed to receive two rods, one of which serves as a main supporting rod, and the other of which principally serves as a guiding rod to prevent rotational movement. Fig. 5 is a modification similar to Fig. 2 where a part 3|] extends into interlocking engagement with a recess 24. Figs. 6 and 7 are modifications wherein a rectangular rod is cemented to the face of the standard and the unitary element is provided 2 with a rectangular cut-out to receive the rectangular rod.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, my invention there shown includes a standard comprising a base member I and a pair of outstanding arms 2 and 3 which support a horizontal rod 4. On this rod I provide a plurality of slidable unitary elements, only one of which is identified as numher 5, for supporting neck-ties. Although only several such elements are shown, it will be appreciated that I may use any desired number. For example, in a tie-rack 15 inches long, I may conveniently use 20 to 24 such elements.

Considering element 5 as an example, I provide, as described in my above-identified prior application, a unitary holding and retaining structure preferably constructed of a single piece of fiat material such as wood, plastic or metal, and which is formed to have an upper head part I, provided with an opening 8, and a lower jaw part 6 to establish with the head part 1 a substantially horizontal opening to receive a neck-tie. The aperture H is preferably in the vertical line or axis of the center of gravity so that the element hangs in the balanced position.

By virtue of the construction of the tie-rack which permits ready horizontal movement of the elements along the rod neck-ties may be readily selected, inserted and removed with a minimum of effort. In order to provide assurance against excessive rotational movement of the elements about the rod 4 upon insertion or removal of neck-ties, I provide improved constructions of the elements and the supporting standard as explained hereinafter.

Each of the unitary elements, of which 5 is representative, is constructed to have a posterior guiding part or rider 9, which engages the base member I, and as example may extend into a horizontal groove It] in the forward face of the base member I. When an element is hanging free, either with or without a tie being inserted, the element is thereby positively limited in its rotational movement about the rod i thereby assuring a minimum effort on the part of the user in inserting or removing a tie.

The dimensions of the rider 9 are chosen relative to the dimension of the'groove In so that when the element is hanging free, the rider 9 preferably does not engage the base member I, in this way permitting and assuring the desired freedom of longitudinal movement of the element '5 along the rod 4.

In Fig. 2 a somewhat modified unitary element is illustrated in which the rider 9 is of smaller dimensions or restricted width and extends into a smaller horizontal groove ID in the face of the base member I. Opening 8 is adapted to receive and hold a neck-tie.

Fig. 3 illustrates a simpler construction of a unitary element having a head part 1, a jaw part 6 and a fiat posterior part I3 which extends into a large horizontal groove l2. Opening 8 is adapted to receive and hold aneck-tie.

A further modified construction is shown in Fig. 4, in which a unitary element is provided with head and jaw parts It and respectively, which provide an opening [6 for receiving and holding a neck-tie. In this arrangement, the unitary element is provided with two apertures l l and 18, the former of which is preferably in the vertical line of the center of gravity, and the latter of which serves primarily as a guide to prevent rotation of the element upon insertion or removal of a neck-tie. Aperture 18 receives a'horizontal guiding rod l9 which also may be supported by the standard, or more specifically by the arms 2 and 3 shown in Fig. 1.

While the above-described neck-tie racks may be constructed entirely of the same material, it will be apparent that parts, such as the unitary elements may be constructed of plastic and the supporting rod may be constructed of metal.

In Fig. 5, a base member 2|, corresponding in general function to base member I in Fig. 1, is constructed of a pair of members 22 and 23 affording a longitudinal recess, such as a rectangular recess 24. Member 23 is provided with a longitudinal opening 23a adapted to receive a part of a unitary element described presently. Members 22 and 23 are formed, or machined to provide cooperating individual recesses and may be joinedor cemented in the manner shown.

A unitary element 25 having a head part 26, lower jaw part 21 which together afiord or define a horizontal opening 28 for receiving a neck-tie. If desired, an aperture 29 may be provided in the head part to receive a longitudinal supporting or guiding rod.

Formed integral with the element 25, I provide a posterior part 30 designed to have substantially the same configuration of the recess 24, but of lesser dimensions to permit the desired longitudinal movement of the element. This part 30, which may be considered as a rider, is supported from the main body of element 25 by a relatively narrow part 3|, which is positioned to move in the longitudinal opening 23a.

In constructing and assembling the element 25 and members 22 and 23,the rider 3% of the element 25 may be inserted in the position shown prior to cementing members 22 and 23, or it may be inserted through opening 23a and rotated to the position shown prior to supporting on a hori zontal rod which extends through aperture 29.

Still further modifications are shown in Figs. 6 and '7 wherein rectangular guide members or rods 32- and 3'! respectively are cemented to the base member 20. In Fig. 6, rod 32 is preferably located at the bottom of base member 20. The unitary element there illustrated is provided with a twosided rectangular groove 35 which is adapted to receive rod 32-, but preferably not to engage it. In this manner, rotational movement is prevented. The element is, of course, provided with head and jaw parts 33 and 34, respectively, and an aperture 36 to receive a supporting rod.

Rod 31, in Fig. '7, is cemented to base member 20, a short distance from the bottom edge thereof, and the element there is provided with a tongue 38 which extends into the recess provided by base member 20 and rod 31.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1, In a tie-rack, the combination comprising a vertical base member having. a pairof outstanding arms, a horizontal rod supported by said arms, a recess in said base member, and a unitary element supported by said rod and constructed of a single piece of flat material and having a head part provided with an aperture to receive said rod and a lower jaw part providing with said head part a horizontal opening to receive and hold a neck-tie, said element having a posterior part integral with said head and jaw parts and extending into said recess to prevent rotation of said element about said rod.

2. In a tie-rack, the-combination comprising a vertical base member having a pair of outstanding arms, a horizontal rod supported by said arms, a horizontal groove in said base member, and a unitary element'supported'by and movable on said rod and constructed of a single piece of flat material and having a head part provided with an aperture to receive said rod and a lower jaw part providing with said head part a horizontal opening to receive and hold a neck-tie, and having a posterior part extending into said groove to pre vent substantial rotationof said element about said rod.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the posterior part of the unitary element extending into the recess has sufiiciently smaller dimensions, relative .to the recess and measured from the said aperture inrelation to the horizontal and verticalspacing of .sald rod and the edges of said recess, that the element normally hangs free out of engagement withsaid base member to permit free longitudinal movement of the element along said rod;

4. In a tie-rack, the combination comprising a vertical base member having a pair of outstanding arms, a horizontalrod'supported by said arms, a recess in said base member, .and a unitary element supported by said rodand constructed of a single piece of fiat material and having a head part provided with :an aperture to receive said rod and a ,lowerjaw part'providing with said head part a horizontalopening to receive and hold a neck-tie, said element having a posterior part integralwith said head and jaw parts and including a riderof restricted width forming a rearward extension of thelsaidlposterior part and extending into .said recess. to limit rotational movement of said element about said rod.

DOROTHY B. KAUFFMAN.

REFERENCES- CITED The following references are. of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,188,227 Woodset a1 June 20, 1916 1,825,310 Engstrom Sept. 29, 1931 2,403,834 Streit H, July 9, 1946 2,42 ,01 Culver Oct. 14, 1947 

